How to build an email list fast: proven strategies & tips

Email marketing is and remains the most important foundation of any online business because an email list is yours and cannot be taken away from you.

But how do you build an email list? Read my proven strategies and tips here.

Key takeaways

• Using popups and sign-up forms on your website can significantly grow your email list.
• Offering lead magnets like eBooks or discounts will encourage people to sign up.
• Choosing the right email marketing platform is essential to manage your email list effectively.
• Social media is a powerful tool to increase email signups through promotion and engaging content.
• Referral programs can use your existing audience to quickly grow new subscribers.

Why email lists are so important for business growth

Email lists are one of the most valuable assets for any business. They allow you to communicate directly with your target audience, build relationships, and increase sales. Unlike social media followers, email subscribers have opted in to hear from you, so they are more likely to engage with your content and offers.

“Your email list is your most valuable marketing asset. It’s the only way to communicate directly with your audience without relying on third-party platforms.” – OptinMonster

The Importance of Building an Email List

Building an email list should be a top priority for every marketer. It gives you control over your communication channels and helps you build a loyal audience. With a solid email list, you can segment your audience, personalize your messages, and create targeted campaigns that increase conversions.

Benefits of a strong email list

There are numerous benefits to having a strong email list:

• Direct communication: You can reach your audience directly, without intermediaries.
• Higher engagement: Email subscribers are likelier to engage with your content than followers on social media.
• Higher sales: Targeted email campaigns can increase sales and revenue.
• Better analytics: Email marketing platforms provide detailed analytics to measure the success of your campaigns.

Common challenges to building an email list

Building an email list can be challenging. Here are some common obstacles:

• Low website traffic: Without enough visitors, it’s hard to get signups.
• Unappealing sign-up forms: People won’t fill them out if your forms aren’t attractive.
• Lack of incentives: People need a reason to give you their email address.
• Poor promotion: No one will see if you don’t promote your sign-up forms.

Choose the right email marketing platform

Choosing the right email marketing platform is crucial. It should provide the features you need to grow and manage your email list effectively.

The most important email marketing platforms for you

Here are some of the best email marketing platforms:

• AWeber: Reliable with excellent customer support. (Read my review here)
• GetResponse: Offers solid features like landing pages and webinars.

Important features to look out for

When choosing an email marketing platform, look for these important features:

• Automation: Enables you to send personalized emails based on user behavior.
• Segmentation: Helps you target specific groups within your email list.
• Analytics: Gives you insights into your email campaign performance.
• Integrations: Should work seamlessly with your other tools and platforms.

How to get started with your platform

To get started with your chosen platform, there are a few steps to take:

• Create an account: Sign up and set up your profile.
• Import contacts: If you already have an email list, import it into the platform.
• Design templates: Create email templates that match your brand.
• Set up automation: Configure automated email sequences for new subscribers.

Effective lead magnets and incentives

Lead magnets are valuable pieces of content that you offer in exchange for someone’s email address. They are important for growing your email list quickly.

Types of lead magnets

There are different types of lead magnets that you can use:

• eBooks: They provide in-depth information on a specific topic.
• Checklists: Simple, actionable lists that solve a problem.
• Discounts: Offer a percentage discount on your products or services.
• Webinars: Host live or recorded sessions on relevant topics.

Create irresistible offers

To create irresistible offers, consider the needs and preferences of your target audience. Make sure your lead magnet offers real value and solves a problem for them. Use compelling wording and images to highlight the offer.

Examples of successful incentives

Here are some examples of successful incentives:

• HubSpot: Offers free marketing templates and tools.
• Neil Patel: Offers in-depth guides and eBooks on digital marketing.
• Shopify: Offers access to free business courses and tutorials.

Using popups and sign-up forms

Popups and sign-up forms effectively capture email addresses on your website. When designed and placed correctly, they can significantly grow your email list.

Designing effective popups

Effective popups should be visually appealing and offer something valuable. Use clear, concise language and include a strong call-to-action (CTA). Ensure the popup is easy to dismiss so as not to annoy your visitors.

Best practices for signup forms

When creating signup forms, follow these best practices:

• Keep it simple: Only ask for the most important information, like name and email.
• Use clear CTAs: Your call to action should be simple and compelling.
• Mobile-friendly: Make sure your forms look good and work well on mobile devices.
• Test and optimize: Regularly test different versions of your forms to see what works best.

Design effective popups

Effective popups are eye-catching and provide value to your visitors. To design an effective popup, use contrasting colors to stand out from the rest of the page. Include a compelling headline that immediately draws attention. The content of the popup should be short and to the point, highlighting the benefits of signing up.

For example, if you offer a discount, clearly state the percentage and the value to the visitor. Adding an image or graphic that complements your message can make the popup even more compelling. Most importantly, make sure the popup is easy to dismiss. No one likes to feel trapped on a website.

Best Practices for Opt-In Forms

Signup forms are an important part of your email list-building strategy. To maximize their effectiveness, keep your forms simple. Ask only for essential information, such as the visitor’s name and email address. The more fields you include, the less likely people are to complete the form.

Use clear and compelling CTAs in your signup forms. Instead of generic language like “Submit,” use action-oriented language like “Get your free eBook” or “Join our community.” Make sure your forms are mobile-friendly, as a large portion of your audience is likely accessing your site from a mobile device. Test different versions of your forms regularly to see which ones convert best.

Placement strategies for maximum impact

Where you place your popups and signup forms can significantly impact their effectiveness. Consider these placement strategies:

• Home page: A popup on your homepage can immediately grab visitors’ attention.
• Blog posts: Place signup forms in your posts to capture readers interested in your content.
• Exit-intent popups: These popups appear when a visitor is about to leave your site, giving you a last chance to capture their email.
• Sidebar forms: A static form in the sidebar can capture emails without intruding.

Design compelling calls-to-action (CTAs)

Calls-to-action (CTAs) are crucial to converting visitors into email subscribers. A compelling CTA can mean the difference between a visitor leaving your site and becoming a loyal subscriber.

When formulating CTAs, focus on the benefits of signing up. Use action-oriented language and clarify what the visitor will get out of it. For example, instead of “sign up,” you could say, “Get exclusive tips delivered straight to your inbox.”

• Be specific: Be clear about what the visitor will get.
• Create urgency: Use language like “Limited time offer” to prompt immediate action.
• Use strong verbs: Action words like “Download”, “Get” and “Join” are more compelling.

What makes a CTA effective?

An effective CTA is clear, concise, and compelling. Using contrasting colors and bold fonts should stand out on the page. The language should be action-oriented and focus on visitors’ benefits. Placement is also crucial: CTAs should be placed where they are visible, such as above the fold or at the end of a blog post.

Examples of high-converting CTAs

Here are some examples of high-converting CTAs:

• Neil Patel: “Get free marketing tips delivered straight to your inbox”
• HubSpot: “Download our free marketing guide”
• Shopify: “Start your free trial today”

Tips for CTA placement

Effective placement of CTAs can significantly impact your conversion rates. Place your CTAs where they are most likely to be noticed. Above the fold, at the end of blog posts, and within the content are excellent spots. Avoid placing CTAs where they might be overlooked, such as at the bottom of a long page.

High-converting landing pages

A high-converting landing page is essential to capturing email addresses. It should be designed to draw visitors’ attention to the sign-up form and its benefits.

Key elements of a landing page

A successful landing page consists of several key elements:

• Compelling headline: The headline should draw attention and convey the main benefit.
• Clear value proposition: Explain what benefits visitors will get when they sign up.
• Compelling visuals: Use images or videos that support your message.
• Strong CTA: Your call to action should be eye-catching and compelling.
• Social proof: Include testimonials or ratings to inspire confidence.

Design tips for better conversion rates

Your landing page should be visually appealing and easy to navigate to improve conversion rates. Use a clean, uncluttered design with plenty of white space. The signup form should be the focal point of the page. Use contrasting colors to make it stand out. Keep the form short and simple, asking for only the most essential information.

Landing page optimization

Optimizing your landing page involves testing various elements to see what works best. Use A/B testing to compare different headlines, images, and CTAs. Analyze the results to see which version performs better. Based on these insights, continually optimize your landing page to maximize conversions.

Use social media for email sign-ups

Social media is a powerful tool for driving email signups. By incorporating signup forms into your social media profiles and using targeted advertising, you can reach a wider audience and quickly grow your email list.

Incorporate signup forms into social media

Many social media platforms allow you to integrate sign-up forms directly into your profile. Facebook, for example, offers a “Sign Up” button to link to your sign-up form. Instagram also allows you to insert a link into your bio, leading to a landing page with a sign-up form.

Use social media ads for sign-ups

Social media ads are an effective way to reach a larger audience and encourage email sign-ups. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram offer advanced targeting options that let you reach the people most likely to be interested in your content. Create eye-catching ads with compelling CTAs that drive people to your sign-up form or landing page.

“With the help of Facebook Ads, we grew our email list by 300% in just three months.”

Engage your audience and increase conversions

Engagement is key to converting social media followers into email subscribers. Post valuable content that your audience will want regularly. Use surveys, questions, and interactive content to encourage engagement. The more engaged your audience is, the more likely they will subscribe to your email list.

Contests and giveaways

Contests and giveaways are a fun and effective way to grow your email list quickly. You encourage people to sign up and share the contest with their friends by offering a valuable prize.

Planning and running a contest

To plan a successful contest, choose a prize that appeals to your target audience. Next, create an entry form where participants can enter their email addresses to enter the contest. Promote the contest on your website, social media, and email to maximize participation. Be sure to follow up with participants and announce the winner.

Promoting your contest for maximum reach

Advertising is key to the success of your competition. Use multiple channels to spread the word. Share the competition on your social media profiles, email your existing subscribers, and consider placing ads to reach a wider audience. Encourage participants to share the competition with their friends to increase its reach.

Referral programs

Referral programs can be an effective tool for quickly growing your email list. By tapping into your existing audience, you can encourage them to refer friends and family to your email list. Not only will you grow your list, but you’ll also attract new subscribers who are likely to be interested in your content.

How referral programs work

“A referral program rewards existing subscribers for bringing new people onto your email list. The reward can be a discount, a free product, or any other incentive that encourages them to recommend your newsletter.” – HubSpot.

Referral programs work by giving your existing subscribers a unique referral link. The subscriber receives a reward when they share that link, and someone signs up through it. The new subscriber also benefits by receiving a special offer or incentive to join your list.

This creates a win-win situation in which both the referrer and the new subscriber gain something valuable. The key to a successful referral program is to offer attractive rewards that motivate your existing subscribers to actively participate.

Setting up an effective referral program

To set up an effective referral program, follow these steps:

• Choose a reward: Decide on a reward that will motivate your subscribers. This could be a discount, a free product, or exclusive content.
• Create a referral link: Use your email marketing platform to create unique referral links for each subscriber.
• Promote the program: Advertise your referral program through emails, social media, and your website.
• Track referrals: Use tracking tools to monitor who is referring new subscribers and ensure they receive their rewards.
• Follow up: Thank your subscribers for their referrals and inform them of their rewards.

Examples of successful referral initiatives

Here are some examples of successful referral initiatives:

• Dropbox: Offers additional storage for both the referrer and the new user.
• Harry’s: Gained 100,000 email subscribers in one week by offering free products for referrals.
• Evernote: Offers points that can be redeemed for premium features when users refer friends.

Use offline methods

• Collecting emails at events
• Use print media for email sign-ups
• Combine offline and online strategies

While online methods are effective, don’t overlook the power of offline strategies to grow your email list. Offline methods can complement your online efforts and help you reach a wider audience.

Collecting emails at events

Events are a great opportunity to collect email addresses. Whether hosting a workshop, attending a trade show, or participating in a community event, you can set up a sign-up table or use a mobile device to collect attendees’ emails. Offer a small incentive, such as a gift or entry into a raffle, to encourage attendees to sign up.

Use print media for email sign-ups

Print media such as flyers, brochures, and business cards can also be used to promote your email list. Include a QR code or short URL that leads people to your sign-up form. Make sure the offer is enticing and clearly stated to encourage sign-ups.

Combine offline and online strategies

• Event follow-up: Email attendees who registered at your event, thanking them for attending and offering them additional benefits.
• From print to digital: Use print materials to direct visitors to your online registration forms, offering them exclusive content or discounts for registering.
• Cross-promotion: Advertise your online events and webinars through offline channels and encourage attendees to sign up via email.

You can develop a cohesive approach that maximizes your reach and effectiveness by combining offline and online strategies.

Conclusion: Implementing and optimizing your strategies

Building an email list quickly requires a combination of effective strategies and ongoing optimization. By implementing the tactics outlined in this article, you can grow your email list quickly and efficiently. Don’t forget always to provide value to your subscribers and keep them engaged with relevant content.

Evaluate the success of your efforts

Review the success of your email list-building efforts regularly. Use your email marketing platform’s analytics features to track key metrics like open, click-through, and conversion rates. This will help you identify what’s working and what needs improvement.

Tips for continuous improvement

Here are some tips for continuous improvement:

• Test and optimize: Regularly test different elements of your email campaigns, such as subject lines, CTAs, and content, to see what resonates best with your audience.
• Engage your audience: Keep your subscribers returning for more valuable content, personalized offers, and regular updates.
• Ask for feedback: Ask your subscribers for feedback regularly to understand their needs and preferences better.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some frequently asked questions

An email list is important because it lets you communicate directly with your target audience, build relationships, and drive sales. Unlike social media followers, email subscribers have opted to hear from you.

How often should I send emails to my list?

The frequency of your emails depends on your audience and the type of content you send. One to two emails per week is a good starting point. Monitor your open and click-through rates to determine the optimal frequency for your audience.

What type of content should I include in my emails?

Your emails should provide added value for your subscribers. This includes educational content, exclusive offers, the latest information about your company, and personalized recommendations. Make sure your content is relevant and engaging to keep your subscribers interested.

How can I ensure that my emails don’t end up in spam?

Choosing the right email marketing tool is also crucial here. I can wholeheartedly recommend Aweber.